dolly dialogues-第11部分

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。　　I　shall　not　come　to　lunch。〃

〃You　said　you　would；〃　cried　Mrs。　Hilary　indignantly。

I　poised　the　letter　in　my　hand；　reading　again　〃Miss　M（aud）　E（lizabeth）　Bannerman。〃　　Miss　Phyllis　looked　at　me　curiously；　Mrs。　Hilary　impatiently。

〃Who　knows；〃　said　I；　〃that　I　may　not　be　a　Romancea　Vanished　Dreama　Green　Memoryan　Oasis？　　A　person　who　has　the　fortune　to　be　an　Oasis；　Miss　Phyllis；　should　be　very　careful。　　I　will　not　come　to　lunch。〃

〃Do　you　mean　that　you　used　to　know　Miss　Bannerman？〃　asked　Mrs。　Hilary　in　her　pleasant　prosaic　way。

It　was　a　sin　seventeen　years　old；　it　would　hardly　count　against　the　blameless　Miss　Bannerman　now。　　〃You　may　tell　her　when　I'm　gone；〃　said　I　to　Miss　Phyllis。

Miss　Phyllis　whispered　in　Mrs。　Hilary's　ear。

〃Another？〃　cried　Mrs。　Hilary；　aghast。

〃It　was　the　very　first；〃　said　I；　defending　myself。

Mrs。　Hilary　began　to　laugh。　　I　smoothed　my　hat。

〃Tell　her；〃　said　I；　〃that　I　remembered　her　very　well。〃

〃I　shall　do　no　such　thing；〃　said　Mrs。　Hilary。

〃And　tell　her；〃　I　continued；　〃that　I　am　still　handsome。〃

〃I　shan't　say　a　word　about　you；〃　said　Mrs。　Hilary。

〃Ah；　well；　that　will　be　better　still；〃　said　I。

〃She'll　have　forgotten　your　very　name；〃　remarked　Mrs。　Hilary。

I　opened　the　door；　but　a　thought　struck　me。　　I　turned　round　and　observed：

〃I　dare　say　her　hair's　just　as　soft　as　ever。　　StillI'll　lunch　some　other　day。〃



A　VERY　FINE　DAY

〃I　see　nothing　whatever　to　laugh　at；〃　said　Mrs。　Hilary　coldly；　when　I　had　finished。

〃I　did　not　ask　you　to　laugh；〃　I　observed　mildly。　　〃I　mentioned　it　merely　as　a　typical　case。〃

〃It's　not　typical；〃　she　said；　and　took　up　her　embroidery。　　But　a　moment　later　she　added：

〃Poor　boy！　　I'm　not　surprised。〃

〃I'm　not　surprised　either；〃　I　remarked。　　〃It　is；　however；　extremely　deplorable。〃

〃It's　your　own　fault。　　Why　did　you　introduce　him？〃

〃A　book；〃　I　observed；　〃might　be　written　on　the　Injustice　of　the　Just。　　How　could　I　suppose　that　he　would？〃

By　the　way；　I　might　as　well　state　what　hethat　is；　my　young　cousin　Georgehad　done。　　Unless　one　is　a　genius；　it　is　best　to　aim　at　being　intelligible。

Well；　he　was　in　love；　and　with　a　view　of　providing　him　with　another　house　at　which　he　might　be　likely　to　meet　the　adored　object；　I　presented　him　to　my　friend　Lady　Mickleham。　　That　was　on　a　Tuesday。　　A　fortnight　later；　as　I　was　sitting　in　Hyde　Park　（as　I　sometimes　do）；　George　came　up　and　took　the　chair　next　to　me。　　I　gave　him　a　cigarette；　but　made　no　remark。　　George　beat　his　cane　restlessly　against　the　leg　of　his　trousers。

〃I've　got　to　go　up　tomorrow；〃　he　remarked。

〃Ah；　well；　Oxford　is　a　delightful　town；〃　said　I。

〃Dd　hole；〃　observed　George。

I　was　about　to　contest　this　opinion　when　a　victoria　drove　by。

A　girl　sat　in　it；　side　by　side　with　a　portly　lady。

〃George；　George！〃　I　cried。　　〃There　she　isLook！〃

George　looked；　raised　his　hat　with　sufficient　politeness；　and　remarked　to　me：

〃Hang　it；　one　sees　those　people　everywhere。〃

I　am　not　easily　surprised；　but　I　confess　I　turned　to　George　with　an　expression　of　wonder。

〃A　fortnight　ago〃　I　began。

〃Don't　be　an　ass；　Sam；〃　said　George；　rather　sharply。　　〃She's　not　a　bad　girl；　but〃　He　broke　off　and　began　to　whistle。　　There　was　a　long　pause。　　I　lit　a　cigar；　and　looked　at　the　people。

〃I　lunched　at　the　Micklehams'　today；〃　said　George；　drawing　a　figure　on　the　gravel　with　his　cane。　〃Mickleham's　not　a　bad　fellow。〃

〃One　of　the　best　fellows　alive；〃　I　agreed。

〃I　wonder　why　she　married　him；　though；〃　mused　George；　and　he　added；　with　apparent　irrelevance；　〃It's　a　dashed　bore；　going　up。〃　　And　then　a　smile　spread　over　his　face；　a　blush　accompanied　it；　and　proclaimed　George's　sense　of　delicious　wickedness。　　I　turned　on　him。

〃Out　with　it！〃　I　said。

〃It's　nothing。　　Don't　be　a　fool；〃　said　George。

〃Where　did　you　get　that　rose？〃　I　asked。

〃This　rose？〃　he　repeated；　fondling　the　blossom。　　〃It　was　given　to　me。〃

Upon　this　I　groanedand　I　still　consider　that　I　had　good　reason　for　my　action。　　It　was　the　groan　of　a　moralist。

〃They've　asked　me　to　stay　at　The　Towers　next　vac。；〃　said　George；　glancing　at　me　out　of　the　corner　of　an　immoral　eye。　　Perhaps　he　thought　it　too　immoral；　for　he　added；　〃It's　all　right；　Sam。〃　I　believe　that　I　have　as　much　self　control　as　most　people；　but　at　this　point　I　chuckled。

〃What　the　deuce　are　you　laughing　at？〃　asked　George。

I　made　no　answer；　and　he　went　on

〃You　never　told　me　what　awhat　she　was　like；　Sam。　　Wanted　to　keep　it　to　yourself；　you　old　dog。〃

〃GeorgeGeorgeGeorge！〃　said　I。　　〃You　go　up　tomorrow？〃

〃Yes；　confound　it！〃

〃And　term　lasts　two　months？〃

〃Yes；　hang　it！〃

〃All　is　well；〃　said　I；　crossing　my　legs。　　〃There　is　more　virtue　in　two　months　than　in　Ten　Commandments。〃

George　regarded　me　with　a　dispassionate　air。

〃You're　an　awful　ass　sometimes；〃　he　observed　critically；　and　he　rose　from　his　seat。

〃Must　you　go？〃　said　I。

〃Yesgot　a　lot　of　things　to　do。　　Look　here；　Sam；　don't　go　and　talk　about〃

〃Talk　about　what？〃

〃Anything；　you　old　idiot；〃　said　George；　with　a　pleased　smile；　and　he　dug　me　in　the　ribs　with　his　cane；　and　departed。

I　sat　on；　admiring　the　simple　elements　which　constitute　the　happiness　of　the　young。　　Alas！　　With　advancing　years；　Wrong　loses　half　its　flavor！　　To　be　improper　ceases；　by　itself；　to　satisfy。

Immersed　in　these　reflections；　I　failed　to　notice　that　a　barouche　had　stopped　opposite　to　me；　and　suddenly　I　found　a　footman　addressing　me。

〃Beg　your　pardon；　sir；〃　he　said。　　〃Her　ladyship　wishes　to　speak　to　you。〃

〃It　is　a　blessed　thing　to　be　young；　Martin；〃　I　observed。

〃Yes；　sir；〃　said　Martin。　　〃It's　a　fine　day；　sir。〃

〃But　very　short；〃　said　I。　　Martin　is　respectful；　and　said　nothingto　me；　at　least。　　What　he　said　to　the　coachman；　I　don't　know。

And　then　I　went　up　to　Dolly。

〃Get　in　and　drive　round；〃　suggested　Dolly。

〃I　can't；〃　said　I。　　〃I　have　a　bad　nose。〃

〃What's　the　matter　with　your　nose？〃　asked　Dolly；　smiling。

〃The　joint　is　injured；〃　said　I；　getting　into　the　barouche。　　And　I　added　severely；　〃I　suppose　I'd　better　sit　with　my　back　to　the　horses？〃

〃Oh；　no；　you're　not　my　husband；〃　said　Dolly。　　〃Sit　here；〃　and　she　made　room　by　her；　as　she　continued；　〃I　rather　like　Mr。　George。〃

〃I'm　ashamed　of　you；〃　I　observed。　　〃Considering　your　age〃

〃Mr。　Carter！〃

〃Considering；　I　say；　his　age；　your　conduct　is　scandalous。　　I　shall　never　introduce　any　nice　boys　to　you　again。〃

〃Oh；　please　do；〃　said　Dolly；　clasping　her　hands。

〃You　give　them　roses；〃　said　I；　accusingly。　　〃You　make　them　false　to　their　earliest　loves〃

〃She　was　a　pudding…faced　thing；〃　observed　Dolly。

I　frowned。　　Dolly；　by　an　accident；　allowed　the　tip　of　her　finger　to　touch　my　arm　for　an　instant。

〃He's　a　nice　boy；〃　said　she。　　〃How　like　he　is　to　you；　Mr。　Carter！〃

〃I　am　a　long　way　past　that；〃　said　I。　　〃I　am　thirty…six。〃

〃If　you　mean　to　be　disagreeable！〃　said　she　turning　away。　　〃I　beg　your　pardon　for　touching　you；　Mr。　Carter。〃

〃I　did　not　notice　it；　Lady　Mickleham。〃

〃Would　you　like　to　get　out？〃

〃It's　miles　from　my　club；〃　said　I　discontentedly。

〃He's　such　fun；〃　said　Dolly；　with　a　sudden　smile。　　〃He　told　Archie　that　I　was　the　most　charming　woman　in　London！　　You've　never　done　that！〃

〃He　said　the　same　about　the　pudding…faced　girl；〃　I　observed。

There　was　a　pause。　　Then　Dolly　asked：

〃How　is　your　nose？〃

〃The　carriage　exercise　is　doing　it　good；〃　said　I。

〃If；〃　observed　Dolly；　〃he　is　so　silly；　now；　what　will　he　be　at　your　age？〃

〃A　wise　man；〃　said　I。

〃He　suggested　that　I　might　write　to　him；〃　bubbled　Dolly。

Now　when　Dolly　bubblesan　operation　which　includes　a　sudden　turn　towards　me；　a　dancing　of　eyes；　a　dart　of　a　small　hand；　a　hurried　rush　of　words；　checked　and　confused　by　a　speedier　gust　of　gurgling　soundI　am　in　the　habit　of　ceasing　to　argue　the　question。　　Bubbling　is　not　to　be　met　by　arguing。　　I　could　only　say：

〃He'll　have　forgotten　by　the　end　of　the　term。〃

〃He'll　remember　two　days　later；〃　retorted　Dolly。

〃Stop　the　carriage；〃　said　I。　　〃I　shall　tell　Mrs。　Hilary　all　about　it。〃

〃I　won't　stop　the　carriage；〃said　Dolly。　　〃I'm　going　to　take　you　home　with　me。〃

〃I　am　at　a　premium　today；〃　I　said　sardonically。

〃One　must　have　something；〃　said　Dolly。　　〃How　is　your　nose　now；　Mr。　Carter？〃

I　looked　at　Dolly。　　I　had　better　not　have　done　that。

〃Would　afternoon　tea　hurt　it？〃　she　inquired　anxiously。

〃It　would　do　it　good；〃　said　I　decisively。

And　that　is　absolutely　the　whole　story。　　And　what　in　the　world　Mrs。　Hilary　found　to　disapprove　of　I　don't　knowespecially　as　I　didn't　tell　her　half　of　it！　　But　she　did　disapprove。　　However；　she　looks　very　well　when　she　disapproves。



THE　HOUSE　OPPOSITE

We　were　talking　over　the　sad　case　of　young　Algy　Groom；　I　was　explaining　to　Mrs。　Hilary　exactly　what　had　happened。

〃His　father　gave　him；　said　I　〃a　hundred　pounds；　to　keep　him　for　three　months　in　Paris　while　he　learnt　French。〃

〃And　very　liberal　too；〃　said　Mrs。　Hilary。

〃It　depends　where　you　dine；〃　said　I。　　〃However；　that　question　did　not　arise；　for　Algy　went　to　the　Grand　Prix　the　day　after　he　arrived〃

〃A　horse　race？〃　asked　Mrs。　Hilary　with　great　contempt。

〃Certainly　the　competitors　are　horses；〃　I　rejoined。　　〃And　there　he；　most　unfortunately；　lost　the　whole　sum；　without　learning　any　French　to　speak　of。〃

〃How　disgusting！〃　exclaimed　Mrs。　Hilary；　and　little　Miss　Phyllis　gasped　in　horror。

〃Oh；　well；〃　said　Hilary；　with　much　bravery　（as　it　struck　me）；　〃his　father's　very　well　off。〃

〃That　doesn't　make　it　a　bit　better；　declared　his　wife。

〃There's　no　mortal　sin　in　a　little　betting；　my　dear。　　Boys　will　be　boys〃

〃And　even　that；〃　I　interposed；　〃wouldn't　matter　if　we　could　only　prevent　girls　from　being　girls。〃

Mrs。　Hilary；　taking　no　notice　whatever　of　me；　pronounced　sentence。　　〃He　grossly　deceived　his　father；〃　she　said；　and　took　up　her　embroidery。

〃Most　of　us　have　grossly　deceived　our　parents　before　now；〃　said　I。　　〃We　should　all　have　to　confess　to　something　of　the　sort。〃

〃I　hope　you're　speaking　for　your　own　sex；〃　observed　Mrs。　Hilary。

〃Not　more　than　yours；〃　said　I。　〃You　used　to　meet　Hilary　on　the　pier　when　your　father　wasn't　thereyou　told　me　so。〃

〃Father　had　authorized　my　acquaintance　with　Hilary。〃

〃I　hate　quibbles；〃　said　I。

There　was　a　pause。　　Mrs。　Hilary　stitched；　Hilary